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Tuesday, April 19, 2016

There is a New Chew in Town #SentinelSpectrum

This post is sponsored by Virbac® Sentinel® Spectrum® and the BlogPaws® Pet Influencer Network™. I am being compensated to help create awareness about protection against common parasites found in dogs but we only share information we feel is relevant to our readers. More information about Sentinel Spectrum. Virbac is not responsible for the content of this article.

Let’s face it; there is nothing nice about parasites. They are gross, but the chances are if you have dogs, you’ve had to deal with at least one of these six most common freeloaders. I’m talking about heartworm, fleas, hookworm, roundworm, tapeworm and whipworm. What if I told you there was a Beef and Bacon Flavored Chew; Virbac® SENTINEL® SPECTRUM® that can protect your best friend against these dirty half-dozen? That’s right, there’s a new chewy in town and it is protecting our dogs from the inside out. Your vet can prescribe Sentinel Spectrum after testing to make sure your dog is heartworm-free.

Hateful Heartworms

Did you know that 300,000 dogs in the U.S. contract heartworms each year? That is a staggering number for a disease that is completely preventable. Infected dogs show a lack of energy, weight loss, and breathing problems. If left untreated, heartworms can be fatal. They are transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. Since every state seems to claim to have the biggest mosquitos, it is no surprise that heartworms have been diagnosed in all 50 states! An infected mosquito transmits young heartworm larvae through its bite. The larvae mature in a dog’s lungs and circulatory system. If an infected dog travels to another area and is bitten by a mosquito, that mosquito becomes infected. It is a vicious cycle that you can protect your dog from by giving a Sentinel Spectrum Flavored Chew every 30 days. Let’s pledge to prevent not treat.

Measuring Up Tapeworms

A tapeworm takes quite a journey to get inside your dog. Tapeworm larvae live inside fleas. Ugh! If a dog has fleas you will notice them biting and licking to relieve the itch. When they lick or bite a flea and swallow it, ta-da, your dog gets tapeworms. You can see tapeworms in your dog’s feces and around their anus. Severe cases can cause weight loss and diarrhea.

Whipworms ~ Roundworms ~ Hookworms, Oh my!

Whipworms are usually transmitted by eating infected matter or from another infected animal. The eggs can live in any environment from a few months to years. Your dog can come into contact with whipworms through the soil, food, water, or in feces or animal flesh. These nasty worms can cause discomfort and bloody diarrhea. So, let’s whip whipworms and whip them good with Sentinel Spectrum.

Roundworms are the most common worms found in dogs. Some puppies can be infected prior to birth giving them the appearance of a pot-bellied puppy. Adult roundworms live in the intestines of an infected dog. You may not notice any signs, but in a major infection, dogs have diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, and dull hair.

The scary thing about hookworms and roundworms is that they can both be transmitted to humans. Hookworms have teeth-like structures that attach to the wall of the intestine and feed on the animal’s blood. Both of these parasites can live for 1 – 3 years in soil. Even after the dog waste is long gone, the larvae continue to live waiting to infect an innocent pet or person. This is why many beaches are not dog-friendly.

Finally, let’s talk fleas.

I’ve told you about the first five parasites, but it’s time to discuss fleas. No words strike horror in a home more than; “The dog has fleas!” If you have ever dealt with an infestation, you know what I am talking about. The truth is only 5% of fleas are adults. 95% are eggs and immature fleas living in your environment. It’s the hidden 95% that hides in your home for up to a year before deciding to hop on a host that can be a big problem. This is what is so unique about Sentinel Spectrum; it locks in flea prevention by stopping young fleas from maturing. An adulticide can be used to kill mature fleas but the important thing is to stop the egg, larvae and pupae from reaching adulthood.

Virbac Sentinel Spectrum

Preventing parasites in our dogs is an important part of the healthcare. We need to make it a point to discuss heartworms and the other parasites with our veterinarians during our dog’s annual exams. Ask your vet about the new chew from Virbac. It took Virbac Sentinel Spectrum fifteen years to bring this flavorful chew to market. The company worked to keep the price very reasonable so more pet parents can prevent their pup getting these six nasty parasites. If you order through your vet’s office, there are rebates up to $50 available. Sentinel will even send you an email or text reminder every 30 days so that you never miss giving a dose. Be sure to give the Sentinel Chew along with a small meal. Your dog will be so happy to be parasite free.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Virbac® Sentinel®. The opinions and text are all mine.

OMD!!! Any company that puts an AIREDALE on the front of their products is TOPS with me!!!!! WoooHoooo!!!! Butts, every chewable flea med, I just throw up. It makes Ma sad, cause the topicals just don't do a great job. And, I'm ALLERGIC to fleas...not funs. Ma is at her wits end! sigh...Kisses,Ruby ♥

Hate all those gross little creeps. I am going to ask my vet. Apparently they did not test for heart worm as such an ordeal getting blood etc. I have a topical for ticks but this sounds ideal for the greedy pug for the others.

Great review! I keep hearing such great things about Sentinel. Thankfully, we don't have a major flea problem here in Boulder but we are starting to see more heartworm up this way as we get a lot of dogs in through rescue from places with major heartworm problems. We just took a heartworm positive mama dog and eight puppies (so far they are healthy) in to the rescue I volunteer with and it's going to be a tough recovery for the mama dog.

Since fleas transmit tapeworms, I think it's genius that Sentinel Spectrum protects against both fleas and tapeworms. If a dog had a flea infestation, most vets will prophylactically treat for tapeworms. With the preventative product, your pooch is already protected!